2 Church Building & Church life

CHURCH BUILDING AND CHURCH COMMUNITY

The church, being God’s house, dwells, by nature, God with His people, in them and for their interest.

In the church, Christ meets members of His Body in order that He may practice His divine and redeeming deed in their life. Thus ultimately, through His Holy Spirit, their new life is formed as a holy, living and active community, possessing the characteristics of their Head, without losing their human features.

In other words, the church building provides such an adequate environment for the formation of this heavenly community surviving on earth. They live on a 'heavenly - earthly’ level, if we can tolerate such an expression. Heavenly due to the fact that it dwells the Heavenly Holy Spirit and by being members of the Body of the Heavenly Christ. On the other hand, however, is human by nature and not isolated from the world. From every nation and every tongue is gathered as a sanctified leaven, acting constantly for the renewal of the world so that it may enjoy the experience of the new life in Jesus Christ.

In view of such an understanding, the correlation between the church building and its congregation, in the orthodox concept, becomes evident. It even goes to the extent that we do not differentiate between one and the other; they support and evaluate one another. The church community constructs the church building as an oblation of love to God, who accepts it, sanctifies it, and turns it into his heavenly and holy temple. Within it the community, ^ its Eucharistic form, receives God's mysteries and gifts to become active and living body of Christ.

CHURCH BUILDING IN COMMUNITY EXISTENCE.

No doubt, modern trends of architecture had distinct influence on church buildings and in turn ignore the essence of the church beliefs. As a result, increasing numbers of western architects are beginning to realize the significance of combining architectural development with church beliefs.

R. Schwarz reckons that the church building is a holy accomplishment and should be founded not purely on architectural basis, but also on authentic sacred faith.

Robert Maguire also speaks about constructing church buildings not conforming to the spirit of the church. He says:

"If you are going to build a church, you are going to create a thing which speaks. It will speak of meanings, and of values, and it will go on speaking.

And if it speaks of the wrong values it will go on destroying. There is a responsibility here. ".

To the same effect, Hommond discusses the role of the building in creating the church community through future generations, in his book ' Toward the Church Architecture' by saying that we erect the building, and it builds our children.

Otto Senn also says; "The problem of the construction of a church cannot be solved by technical knowledge and architecture alone. The arrangement of the stones has a direct relation with the up building of the community and vice versa. It forms part of the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4: 12)".

CHURCH BUILDING & CHURCH FEATURES.

In the Orthodox Church, the building signifies the confirmation of the features of the church. That is, as the church in its true entity is the fruit of unity between two elements ; divine and human, eternal and finite, heavenly and earthly, the church building should bear the same philosophy by being the outcome of the interaction between the divine act and human act; heavenly features with earthly truth.

Thus, despite the fact that people use such finite materials as land, stones, bricks, wood, gold, silver and utilizing architecture designs and decorating arts, and painting etc... the building would not possess its ecclesiastical features until it receives, the Holy Spirit who grants it a heavenly type.

This is our appreciation to the nature of the church either as a congregation or a building. The house of God, in fact, is the net result of the work of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with human abilities and architecture facilities in its design, construction as well as decoration.

The church as a congregation as well as a building could be analogous to God's garment attached to Him. Although maintaining its materialistic nature, it shines with the divine glory during transfiguration.

CHURCH BUILDING & CHURCH ROLE.

The church building does not only confirm the nature of the church community, but also reveals, simply, its dogmas and roles.

For example, a quick glance at the church building suggests immediately her role as a loving mother for sinners. She embraces them and guides them step by step towards the east. From the chorus of catechumens and penitents to that of believers, then to the holy sanctuary. She invites them to the joys of partaking in the divine sacraments and their entry to the heavenly throne by the merit of the blood shed on the Cross.

This is probably one of countless examples that we anticipate covering as we go along the book.

CHURCH BUILDING & CHURCH BUILDERS.

In order that the ecclesiastical building is enabled to carry out its role, by realistically expressing characteristics of the church, its beliefs and worship; it is essential that the people in charge of constructing church buildings should be effective members, filled with the ecclesiastical spirit. They ought to be active stones, founded on their Living Christ and with a genuine apostolic spirit, thus possessing the same spirit.

This signifies that it is not only sufficient for building expertise, weather in the architecture design or construction fields to be knowledgeable of the church theology and the latest trends of architectural art , but they also ought to be on the spiritual side, conducting their personal life in line with the ecclesiastical spirit. This was clearly acknowledged in constructing the tabernacle. In spite of God’s direct involvement in dictating all its minutes , He assigned the job of preparing it to a man with such a reputation that God said about him , "See, Yahweh has singled out Bezalel son of Uri... He has filled him with the spirit of God and endowed him with skill and perception and knowledge for every kind of craft: for the art of designing and working in gold and silver and bronze ; for cutting stones to be set , for carving in wood, for every kind of craft" Exod. 31: 1 - 5 (See Exod 35: 31 , 36: 1).

In effect, in anology with the sanctification that the priest receives upon commencing his pastoral activities, and the theologian in his study.. It is also with people working in God’s house. They should be sanctified and prepared for such a holy work. In fact they do not lay stones and design decorations, but truly participate in a divine work under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit.

CHURCH BUILDING and LITURGICAL LIFE

No doubt, the church building is bonded with the church community, bears its spirit, reveals its entity and supports it in accomplishing its goals. It is naturally therefore, that the building plays a valuable role in realizing her liturgical aspects of the church community, i. e. , in practicing its liturgical life.

Let us then ask, "What is meant by the ’Liturgical life', or the 'Liturgical form of the church * ?.

Liturgies are the formal public worship; e. g. , services of the seven Sacraments and other types of public worship. In this worship, the church offers her love to the Father, through her unity with the Only - Begotten Son, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As a result, she extracts from Him the 'mystery of her existence * and enjoys the continuous progress and everlasting sanctity, in order that she may accomplish her mission of renewing the entire world in Jesus Christ, Savior of mankind.

For example in the liturgy of Eucharist, the church offers the unblood sacrifice of the Son, and in turn receives mystery of her existence and unity with the Son through the altar.

Similarly, in the liturgy of Baptism, the church presents the candidates as dedicated people for the Lord and consequently accepts them from Him as children of her own, sanctified in the merits of the Blood.

Also in the liturgy of Marriage, the church presents the couple to God, so that their new home becomes His, and their children serve in His vineyard. In turn a new church is created by the Holy Spirit which is, truly, a new branch and a living member of the Mother - Church. In fact, by faith, the church lives this liturgy as a bride in the hands of the Messiah, her Bridegroom, and is leading her to His conjugal chamber!

In the ’Liturgy of blessing water * , the church observes her right of placing her feet in the Messiah's hands, with humbleness, to be washed and purified, as was witnessed with the disciples.

In brief, the liturgical act represents a vital part in the church existence. It is, therefore, of equal importance that the church building should be compatible with the liturgical services conducted, and provides the relevant atmosphere of the liturgical worship.

In other words, the church building in the Orthodox concept, is analogous to the lyre that adds melody in harmony with the liturgical worship, and successive hymns of believers. It backs up their service, encourages them and even uncovers mysteries and alms of such worship to them.

We can further illustrate that by examples:

Allocating the Baptistery at the utmost west of the church building, near the entrance, and the altar at the extreme east, implies that the entry to our ecclesiastical fellowship can only be achieved as a result of the liturgy of baptism. Its effects are maintained through our life so that we are continuously qualified for partaking of the liturgy of Altar, where we enjoy the mystery of unity with the Immaculate Messiah!

Situating the lectern between the altar and chorus of believers signifies the degree of importance of God's word in the liturgical life of believers. They simply are unable to approach mysteries of the altar and celebrate their liturgies except through the Word of God.

Placing the Cross on the top of the Iconostasis and carving it on the doors, crowns of the pillars and every corner of the church, uncovers the practical fellowship side with the Crucified Christ in the liturgical life. To us the Cross is the mystery of our worship, the subject of our hymns and the source of our ceaseless engagement with God.

In brief, the authentic church building, as a whole and in every fine detail, its contents and furniture should be capable of attracting the soul to examine the liturgical life and exposing its mysteries to her.

Joseph Rykwert spoke about the relationship between the building and liturgy, in his book CHURCH BUILDING by saying[1];

"Liturgy is the living movement around which a church building is a shell or a shelter and so it is inevitably shaped and molded by the movement of the liturgy...

In the liturgy in the prayer which commemorates our Lord's actions on earth the church remembers particularly the passion, resurrection and the ascension. Each of these is recollected not only in the words of the celebrant but in some physical feature of the church, inanimate physical features which act in harmony with the movements of the living worshippers, so that the altar itself which is often shaped like a sarcophagus is the memorial of the passion and death.. ".

CHURCH BUILDING and THE HEAVENLY LIFE

The church building could not only be valued as an architectural design reflecting certain religious feelings. It is above all, associated with the community and is bound to reveal its heavenly character and capable of releasing the human soul to the divine throne to share the heavenly creatures in their eternal liturgies.

Thinking back to the days of the Old Testament, when the tabernacle was built as a shadow of the heavenly things, it would not be surprising to come across, some believers who surpassed the materialistic bounds of the tabernacle. Through it they approached heaven and met God, and loved Him. This fact was expressed by Origen, commenting on the words of David, "When I remember these things! Pour out my soul: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the House of God" Ps. 42: 4. He said "[1] - ," What dwelling place is that of which David remembers and pours out his soul? Longing for it in love as strong as death! Is it that made of leather, scarlet, blue and purple? Doubtless David's insight was totally different! Cast away from you all earthly bonds and come, walk in the way in which the prophets and apostles had prepared for you... And above all act according to the word of God from all your heart and understanding, so that ultimately you ascend to heaven and meditate wonders of the eternal dwelling place that Moses only explained its shadow.

Such was David's perception to the House of God long ago. He knew how to come close to heaven through her shadow; the tabernacle... As for us, we entered the heavenly places themselves (Heb 9: 23) , and enjoyed the temple that is not made with hands (Heb. 9: 11) and resided in the city that God established (Heb. 11: 16)! In our new temple, heavens became exposed, and direct communications between its highest of holies and humble earthly ones was made possible.

Truly, the church of the New Testament is the entrance of the heavenly life, or its pledge... and to that extent the building should conform. The ecclesiastical historian, Eusebius, says that the visible church is built on the image of the invisible one... , it is heaven on earth! Origen also says[2], "The church is an imitation of the kingdom to come". ST. Augustine states[3], "The church of God is heaven..." Fr. Germanus of Constantinople says[4] , "The church is heaven on earth, where lives and dwells God, who is higher than heaven... It was prefigured in the Patriarchs, founded on the Apostles... It was foretold by the prophets. Adorned by the Hierarchs , sanctified by the Martyrs and its altar is founded on their relics".

Also talking about believers who regularly attend church assemblies, ST. Chrysostom says, "We have to depart from this holy place as if descending from heaven itself... Show the outside people that you were in the company of the Seraphim, counted with the heavenly creatures, considered as angelic chorus, talking with God and in the presence of Christ".

THE CHURCH BUILDING and THE MYSTICAL LIFE

The authentic church building not only does take part in the church consolidating with God and in Him, but it also touches on the inner life of the soul , since she represents a vivid member of the church as a whole. It indicates God's dwelling in the soul and conditioning her for His residence. All what we come across in the building by the scanning eyes is perceived internally by faith.

This view lent itself strongly in the writings of Origen about the tabernacle. He identified it, in the New Testament, as being established in the heart. All its contents and ritual services declared mystery of heaven with his soul. A wave of fear ran through him, and said[1] "As I examine these things I find my courage betrays me due to its awe.".

Origen could only admire the attitude of the people of God towards building the tabernacle. Everyone was so eager to offer generously whatever possible, each according to his ability and resources. He experienced the urge to participate in establishing God's spiritual tabernacle within himself, and said[2];

"O Lord Jesus Christ, will you make me worthy to partake in building your house!

I yearn to present gold for your mercy - seat (cover Exod 25: 17) , the ark of testimony, the candlestick or the lamp!

If I had no gold, permit me to offer silver for the frames and their sockets (Exod 26: 25).

Grant me, my Lord, to give precious stones to decorate the ephod and breastplate of the high priest.

If I possessed nothing of that, allow me to offer goats hair for your house, that I am not counted as barren or unfruitful!

Come, let us build the tabernacle of Jacob's God, Jesus Christ our Lord, and adorn it! ".

Once again Origen links the tangible house of God and the one residing in the heart, and comments[3] , "The Lord illustrated the mystery of building the tabernacle by His words to Moses: You establish a dwelling place for me, so that I abide among you".

God loves that we build Him a place of residence, and in return we are given promises to visualize Him.

God's dwelling place is the sanctity that we are requested to attain... Consequently, everybody can found a tabernacle for God in his heart. Its ten curtains (Exod. 26: 1) refers to the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments.

Examining the tabernacle closely, the purple, the blue, the fine twined linen... etc. symbolizes the variety of good deeds.

Gold refers to faith (Rev. 3: 18) ,.

Silver to preaching (PS. 12: 6) ,.

Brass to patience,.

Timber that does not rot to the acquaintance that the believer gains in the uninhibited wilderness and the everlasting chastity;

Linen to virginity,.

Purple to loving martyrdom,.

Scarlet to the brightness of love,.

Blue to hope in the heavenly kingdom.

From all these materials, the tabernacle is built. ".

"In order to assemble the tabernacle, the frames (Exod 26: 8 - 25) of virtues have to be sought I Frames of silver, i. e, frames of patience and wisdom...

It is supported and decorated by pillars of silver, i. e. openness of the heart!

Strengthened by boards (Exod 35: 11) » i. e. directing the entire heart to enjoy and meditate in God.

Settled on silver sockets, i. e. our life is based on the word of God preached by His Apostles and Prophets...

Its boards are covered with gold, i. e. our life is protected with the faith in Christ.

Ten curtains are allowed for in the heart, i. e. , it is widened without limits. ".

Origen emphasized that rites conducted within the tabernacle and church should take place mystically in the soul. He demonstrates this by saying: "The soul should have an altar right in the center of the heart. On it sacrifices of prayer and burnt offerings of mercy are offered. Thus, bullocks of pride are slaughtered with the knife of meekness, and rams of anger, goats of luxuries and passions are killed.

Let the soul know how to establish a permanently illuminating lampstand, right in the holy of holies of her heart! ".

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This was a simplified coverage to what extent the church building is related to the ecclesiastical life on both the community level and the personal level... Now we wish to examine the architectural aspects of early church buildings in order to get a feel for its spiritual concepts that are relevant to our life.

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